What kind of childhood Mr Bounderby had?
What kind of childhood Mr Bounderby had?
Yes, it turns out that Bounderby actually grew up in a normal, loving, probably over-indulgent family that helped him get a start in life. It seems that he uses his powers of creativity to dismiss poor people’s complaints.
What does Mr Bounderby represent?
Bounderby’s attitude represents the social changes created by industrialization and capitalism. Whereas birth or bloodline formerly determined the social hierarchy, in an industrialized, capitalist society, wealth determines who holds the most power. Thus, Bounderby takes great delight in the fact that Mrs.
How old is Josiah Bounderby?
Bounderby is 47 or 48 years old, as indicated by, “his seven or eight and forty.” Dickens also writes, however, that Mr.
Why does Stephen Blackpool refuse to join the union?
Stephen is the only Hand who refuses to join a workers’ union: he believes that striking is not the best way to improve relations between factory owners and employees, and he also wants to earn an honest living. As a result, he is cast out of the workers’ group.
What was Bounderby lie?
Mr Bounderby claims to have been born in abject poverty, abandoned by his family and his ultimate boast lies in the fact that he is a self-made man, “with nobody to thank for my being here, but myself.” From the position of this dubious distinction Bounderby feels morally obligated to blame the poor for their poverty …
What happens to Bitzer in hard times?
Initially a bully at Gradgrind’s school, Bitzer later becomes an employee and a spy at Bounderby’s bank.
Why is it called Coketown?
To add to Coketown’s overall grimness, its blocky uniform buildings are covered with soot. This comes from the coal that is burned to power the factories. Maybe, that’s why they call the place Coketown – “coke” is coal distilled into its fuel form.
Why can’t Stephen Blackpool divorce his wife?
For a poor working man like Stephen Blackpool, divorce was an actual impossibility. He could not escape the immoral, alcoholic wife he so hated. Either Stephen or his wife would have to die in order for their marriage to be dissolved.
Who is Stephens wife in hard times?
There’s not too much to say about Stephen’s wife, Mrs. Blackpool. A few things: note that it’s only we at Shmoop who care enough to give her a name.
Who is the old woman in hard times?
Pegler Mrs. Pegler
Mrs. Pegler is the little old woman who comes to town once a year to gaze at Bounderby. She is revealed to be his mom, whom he pays to stay away, because he tells everyone who will listen that he grew up practically an orphan in the streets.
Who is Slackbridge in hard times?
Slackbridge is the union representative sent out to organize the workers at Bounderby’s factory. His main way of whipping up support is to blow everything he says completely out of proportion and to use many words quickly to lull his audience.